Thursday, September 18, 2008

Day 104--All inspections are done

The inspections went well. Actually, it was scary to see how fast the inspectors were in and out. So I guess it's not truly a safty check, but just another form of taxation.

We had some fun finishing up with our contractor. We added on some things, like the bookcase at the end of the island, so we knew there were some overages. However, it was far more than we expected.

Some of it was just silly of him to add on to a project of this size. I mean, the contract says setting matterials for the backsplash are included, but he charged us for the grout! When I sold tile many years ago, grout was considered setting materials. But since it was less than $15 we didn't make a big stink.

What did get us was a charge for the cabinet drawers. Couple months ago we (the contractor and us) discovered that the drawers were stapled instead of dove-tailed. We had said we wanted dove-tailed and he thought he ordered dove-tailed, but he actually ordered stapled drawers. Now he wanted us to pay for half since he figured we should have caught the error before they were ordered. That's the one item on the additional list that we fought. Luckily in the end he agreed to drop it.

Now the house is ours again.
...No more having someone walk in while I'm blasting music on my work at home days.
......No more having someone in the kitchen when Ken and the kids come downstairs in the mornings.
.........No more having someone in my kitchen when I need to make dinner.

WAIT! I got a lot of nights off with that one! Maybe it wasn't all bad.

Day 97--The contractor is all done


This has turned out SO beautiful. It feels more like a showroom in some ways than our house. I'm even able to put the things in my display cabinets that I've been picking out.

The counter won't stay this clean forever so I'm definitely enjoying it now!


Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Day 96--The backsplash and hood are in!


WOW!!! This is my kitchen??? Really?

Monday, September 8, 2008

Day 95--Our back splash goes in



After several different thoughts and budgets for the back splash, we finally found one we both agreed on AND didn't break the bank. I actually ordered too many of the silver accent tile, so on Friday Ken came up with this design. Luckily our contractor is loving the kitchen as much as we are and was happy to put in something...original...just like us!

Day 94--Ken's favorite appliance goes in


After 2 months without a TV to watch at the table, Ken was going through withdrawals. We finally figured out how to hang it nearly centered while still securing it to the studs.


The electrical contractor is going to move the plugs up so that they are hidden behind the TV.



Of course the kids also loved being able to eat tonight AND watch SpongeBob. (Ug...SpongeBob!)



You have to see this to beleive it

Only 2 days before this is fixed.

Now you see them...



Now you don't!!!